MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 25 Gentiva Health Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTIV), the nation's leading provider of comprehensive home health services, today announced the completion of the sale of 69% of its CareCentrix unit to Water Street Healthcare Partners, a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on the health care industry, in a transaction valued at approximately $147 million. CareCentrix was started by Gentiva in 1996 and is today a leading national provider of ancillary care benefit management services for major managed care organizations.

According to the definitive agreement announced on August 21, 2008, Gentiva received $84 million in cash and a $25 million interest-bearing seller note upon the closing of the transaction. In addition, Gentiva will retain 31% of the capital stock in CareCentrix having an ascribed value of $26 million.

Of the $84 million in cash proceeds, $26 million will be retained by Gentiva and be available to fund future acquisitions. The remaining cash proceeds will be used to repay term loan debt and reduce the Company's leverage ratio.

About CareCentrix

CareCentrix is a leading national provider of ancillary care benefit management services for major managed care organizations. The unit delivers home nursing, infusion, home medical equipment and additional ancillary services to more than 10 million members of managed care organizations nationwide through a network of over 4,000 credentialed homecare provider locations. CareCentrix employs approximately 400 associates nationally. The company is based in Melville, NY, with significant regional operations in Hartford, CT, Tampa, FL and Phoenix, AZ.

About Water Street Healthcare Partners

Water Street Healthcare Partners is a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on health care. With more than $1 billion of capital under management, Water Street is one of the most active investors in the health care industry. The firm has a strong track record of building market-leadership companies across key growth sectors in health care. It has partnered with some of the world's leading health care companies on its investments, including: Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Smith & Nephew. Water Street's team is comprised of industry executives and private equity professionals with decades of experience investing in and operating global health care businesses. The firm is headquartered in Chicago. For more information about Water Street, visit www.wshp.com.

About Gentiva Health Services, Inc.

Gentiva Health Services, Inc. is the nation's leading provider of comprehensive home health services, delivering innovative, high quality care to patients across the United States. Gentiva is a single source for skilled nursing; physical, occupational, speech and neurorehabilitation services; hospice services; social work; nutrition; disease management education; help with daily living activities; respiratory therapy and home medical equipment; infusion therapy services; and other therapies and services. The Company's revenues are generated from federal and state government programs, commercial insurance and individual consumers. For more information, visit Gentiva's web site, http://www.gentiva.com, and its investor relations section at http://investors.gentiva.com. GTIV-G

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements contained in this news release, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "expects," "assumes," "trends" and similar expressions, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current plans, expectations and projections about future events. However, such statements involve known and unknown risks, unc

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